Investigators find rotting food, maggots, clogged toilets

Secoy Koch-Miller, charged on Feb. 28 with neglect in Dodge County after her children were found with spiders in their hair and animal feces found throughout the home.

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Secoy Koch-Miller, charged on Feb. 28 with neglect in Dodge County after her children were found with spiders in their hair and animal feces found throughout the home.

A Dodge County mother was charged with neglect resulting in harm after her children were removed from a home that authorities said is uninhabitable.

A criminal complaint against 25-year-old Secoy Koch-Miller said she was living with her mother, her newborn and her 2-year-old son in a Town of Burnett home that was in deplorable condition. Medical reports stated the toddler was underweight, covered with bug bites, had a bruised eye and spiders in his hair.

The complaint said the baby had a respiratory illness, but otherwise seemed to be OK.

Sheriff's deputies and human services workers who went to the house in November said they found animal feces and urine, rotting food, maggots in the refrigerator and clogged toilets. The complaint said clutter throughout the home prevented authorities from opening doors.

Town Supervisor Jerry Beier spoke to WISN 12 News and explained how they found the 2-month-old under the mess.

"Here it was underneath a bunch of old clothing, that had to be washed, if there was a washer, which there wasn't. The cold water was working, but the hot water -- there was no hot water in the house at all. The toilets did not work. The matter was going in the basement," Beier said.

Investigators were alerted to the conditions when the baby's father sent a note from jail.

WISN 12 News spoke to one of his relatives Tuesday who said he's relieved the kids are in foster care.

Investigators said the home had the appearance of that of a "hoarder."

Koch-Miller faces one felony count of child neglect resulting in bodily harm, as well as a misdemeanor count of child neglect.

She could face more than six years in prison if convicted of the charges. Koch-Miller is scheduled to appear in court next week.

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